Some dude on ESPN radio said the minimum salary requirement applies to the end of the season, meaning teams will not be forced to reach that mark before the start of the season, if they don't want to. A team can enter the season under the minimum and still reach it at the end by doing things like signing veterans to new contracts.

The fact that we may not be able to retain Doug Free makes me feel pretty uneasy. He's probably the top Tackle in this FA class and we're like 20 million over the cap.

We probably won't be big spenders, but 1 thing I trust is Jerry not letting in house young talent leave. It'll get done, or he'll match any other deal. We still have a ton of people to cut to clear space who make a bunch of money like Columbo, Barber, Leonard Davis, and some others.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Wright

I guarantee that if someone picks Cam Newton in the Top 5 they will regret it.

Maybe a Bears fan can help me out here, but with a cap figure like that, would the Bears make a move on Nnamdi? He would be another dominant defensive player on an already great defense and is probably of the same mindset/age as the other leaders on the team (Wanting to win now).

__________________
Sig by fenikz! Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Wright

Mr. Dukes comes from the Michael Irvin "talk loud and maybe people will think I know what I am talking about" school of football analysis.

Maybe a Bears fan can help me out here, but with a cap figure like that, would the Bears make a move on Nnamdi? He would be another dominant defensive player on an already great defense and is probably of the same mindset/age as the other leaders on the team (Wanting to win now).

The Bears badly need a corner, but their scheme doesn't value corners like other teams, so it's hard to say.

I'd say it's unlikely the Bears go after him due to the amount of $$ he will command & their philosophy overall.

Bears will probably go after one of the big name guards, resign some of their own players, and then go after a different corner.

The Vikings are a great example of why you don't build through FA (besides the obvious Redskins). They are going to have to scrap that team from the bottom up, and are still currently 5 mil over the cap.

The Vikings are a great example of why you don't build through FA (besides the obvious Redskins). They are going to have to scrap that team from the bottom up, and are still currently 5 mil over the cap.

Exactly. Bear & Packer fans agreeing. Priceless.
Still, Peppers & Cutler weren't home-grown draftees either, and they are their most important additions of the past 2-3 years.

Maybe a Bears fan can help me out here, but with a cap figure like that, would the Bears make a move on Nnamdi? He would be another dominant defensive player on an already great defense and is probably of the same mindset/age as the other leaders on the team (Wanting to win now).

Wow, really, they are that much under the cap?
Dang.

First, look for them to target Packer players like Cullen Jenkins and James Jones perhaps.

As a Packer fan, I hope the fact that there are 3 big name WRs here, plus 2 Steve Smiths and a Randy Moss & Terrell Owens, will lead to there being no market for my bitterfingered-James Jones, who I want to keep. The guy makes a lot of plays, even though he also has dropped a lot of big plays. He dropped 2 perfect TD passes in the playoffs (Philly & Pittsburgh), which allowed the games to then go down to the wire where luck played a major factor. Had he caught em both, each game would have been a more convincing win. But he gets open an awful lot to be able to be in that position so often.

The NFL Network has confirmed that the new Collective Bargaining Agreement will allow for rookies to sign on Tuesday, and free agency to open Friday at 6PM ET.
The NFL Network's timeline is correct, after multiple reports of differing schedules. Players can report to their facilities for voluntary conditioning on Tuesday, and beginning at 10AM tomorrow all rookie draft picks and unsigned rookie free agents can begin signing. (It will be a hectic day.) Beginning on Thursday, NFL teams can begin waiving and releasing players. Full-blown free agency opens on Friday evening, the same day all players can begin reporting for training camp. Stay with us for several wild weeks of rumors, reports, and transactions.

No word on trades though. I assume they are a part of "Full-blown free agency" that begins on Friday at 6 PM ET. Should be epic.

EDIT: Trades begin Tuesday according to PFT. Kevin Kolb and Steve Smith could open camp with their new teams...

As a Chiefs fan and being so far under the cap, it's damn important we give Tamba Hali a long term deal (he was franchised) and we re-sign Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr and Dwayne Bowe.

After that, I'd take an OT to play RT and a quality NT if one becomes available.

Interestingly enough, I'm pretty sure giving Tamba Hali a long-term deal would make his cap # lower for this season than if he played out the year tagged... unless they signed him to a ridiculously front-loaded contract for some reason.

Interestingly enough, I'm pretty sure giving Tamba Hali a long-term deal would make his cap # lower for this season than if he played out the year tagged... unless they signed him to a ridiculously front-loaded contract for some reason.

Yeah I don't doubt that either. The main thing is to sign some of these younger guys who are starting to contribute AND a few key free agents AND our draft picks. Getting Hali locked up is key in that regard.